In 1983, 50 corporations controlled a majority of media in America. In 1990 the number had dropped to 23. In 1997, 10. And today, six.

There you have it. The fistful of multinational conglomerates that own the majority of media in America. What do we call it when a few firms dominate the market? Oligopoly. Doesn’t quite rhyme with democracy. But today, believe it or not, big media is about to get even bigger, unless the public stands up and says “No!” Here’s the story.

The Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission -- the FCC, the agency of government created by Congress to protect the public’s rightful ownership of the airwaves -- is reportedly asking the other four commissioners to suspend the rule preventing a company from owning a newspaper and radio and TV stations in the same big city. Thus he would give the massive media companies free rein to devour more of the competition. The chairman is Julius Genachowski, appointed to the job by President Barack Obama. Now, the FCC tried to pull this same stunt under a Republican chairman back in the second term of George W. Bush, but at hearings held around the country an angry public fought back.

Obama's FCC Chairman is quietly trying to pull the same thing that got shouted down under Bush. We need to mobilize against further media consolidation. And Obama is wrong if he doesn't stop this, so those of you who think I'm an Obama shill are wrong.

The question up for debate is, should free markets reign and allow further media concentration in the hands of a few mega-corporations?

In 2008 he talked about more local control in media, and that seems to have been all talk.

The “vice of specialization” entails the denial of intellect. “It is a denial because it rests on the superstition that understanding is identical with professional skill. The universal formula is: ‘You cannot understand or appreciate my art (science) (trade) unless you practice it.’ ” - Jacques Barzun

You still need to be licensed by the Feds to be considered MSM, right? Not much of a free market there.

Drudge, Huffington Post, etc, there is your free market, and that is exactly why we need to keep the government out of regulating anything Internet related

But who will protect me on the Internet if not the benevolent government???

All growth depends upon activity. There is no development physically or intellectually without effort, and effort means work. — Calvin Coolidge"Under Barack Obama, the only 'change' is that 'hope' is hard to find" - Marco Rubio

Obama's FCC Chairman is quietly trying to pull the same thing that got shouted down under Bush. We need to mobilize against further media consolidation. And Obama is wrong if he doesn't stop this, so those of you who think I'm an Obama shill are wrong.

The question up for debate is, should free markets reign and allow further media concentration in the hands of a few mega-corporations?

I totally agree with you. Comcast should not have received permission to purchase NBC-Universal. This is terrible policy for the consumer and the nation as a whole.

And Obama is wrong if he doesn't stop this, so those of you who think I'm an Obama shill are wrong.

Wrong if he doesn't "stop this"? He is the one that started it he sure has no interest in stopping it! It is way easier to control 1 organization than many. Obama has tried to shut down Fox news. He personally condemns them every chance he gets. He has his minions shut them out whenever possible. Corruption does NOT like dissenting opinion! I suspect he will eventually be able to shutdown Fox news (or more likely change their content to the propaganda the other MSM stations deliver). The smaller internet news sources that tell the truth about him don't have a large enough audience to be of major concern at this point. But I assure you they are on a short list.

E finita la cuccagna

Liberals want you to think like them, Conservatives just want you to think!

Big Media in general is the DEVIL.. they prey on the general public and no longer report the news. Almost all are so biased that it's scandalous. If there was a major media outlet out there that reported the mere stories without bias I would watch.. instead I'm forced to read left and right wing media to get the full story... Even then I'm probably still missing pieces of stories.

Wrong if he doesn't "stop this"? He is the one that started it he sure has no interest in stopping it!

It was started by his FCC commissioner. Do you have any evidence that Obama has even weighed in on this?

Quote
:

It is way easier to control 1 organization than many. Obama has tried to shut down Fox news. He personally condemns them every chance he gets. He has his minions shut them out whenever possible.

Failing to cooperate with a hostile media orgranization does not translate into "tried to shut down Fox News."

Quote
:

Corruption does NOT like dissenting opinion!

No one LIKES dissenting opinion. Esp when, like yours, there is no corroboration.

Quote
:

I suspect he will eventually be able to shutdown Fox news (or more likely change their content to the propaganda the other MSM stations deliver). The smaller internet news sources that tell the truth about him don't have a large enough audience to be of major concern at this point. But I assure you they are on a short list.

Well, as long as we have your assurance.....

Quote
from DJPlayer
:

Big Media in general is the DEVIL.. they prey on the general public and no longer report the news. Almost all are so biased that it's scandalous. If there was a major media outlet out there that reported the mere stories without bias I would watch.. instead I'm forced to read left and right wing media to get the full story... Even then I'm probably still missing pieces of stories.

I don't want them to get bigger.. I'd prefer competition to come out that displays themselves as the "non bias station". I can't imagine them getting larger w/ the number of media outlets and television station expanding and expanding.. I'm not one much for regulating free market much.. but I dislike the media so much I almost would like for them them to create incentive for additional outlets to emerge..

I don't want them to get bigger.. I'd prefer competition to come out that displays themselves as the "non bias station". I can't imagine them getting larger w/ the number of media outlets and television station expanding and expanding.. I'm not one much for regulating free market much.. but I dislike the media so much I almost would like for them them to create incentive for additional outlets to emerge..

The number expands and then the corporate goliaths buy them up....that's how they get bigger. As long as the FCC allows it to happen.

This Thread is more than 842 days old. It is very likely that it does not need any further discussion and thus bumping it serves no purpose.If you still feel it is necessary to make a new reply you may do so.
I am aware that this Thread is rather old but I still want to make a reply.

Found a Deal?
Slickdeals is able to share the best deals because of the contributions of users like you! If you found a great deal,
please share it with others by posting in our forums.

First Time?
Welcome to Slickdeals!
Save money here by finding the lowest and cheapest price, best deals and bargains, and hot coupons. We're all about
community driven bargain hunting with thousands of free discounts, promo codes, reviews and price comparisons.

Don't worry, we'll help you find your way. If you haven't already, check out this
user guide
that explains the features of our site.